Bible Study: DEVELOPING GREATNESS
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Everybody wants to be great—but most people want greatness without serving.
In this passage:
A MOTHER’S REQUEST
THE DISCIPLES STRIVE FOR GREATNESS
JESUS REDEFINES HOW TO BE GREAT
TODAY I WANT YOU TO LEAVE HERE WITH THE CORRECT MINDSET.
I WANT YOU TO LEAVE HERE DISCARDING ANY OTHER VIEW
AND REPLACING IT WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT TRUE GREATNESS
ACCORDING TO GOD AND HIS KINGDOM IS
NOT ABOUT YOUR POSITION BUT ABOUT YOUR SERVICE
YOUR SERVICE THAT HAS BEEN SHAPED BY CHRIST AND FUELED BY AN ETERNAL REWARD
I. THE MANNER OF GREATNESS
I. THE MANNER OF GREATNESS
YOUR SERVICE
THE WORLD’S METHOD
25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.
25 And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’
Truth: The world’s greatness is about:
Control
Authority
Recognition
Key Phrase: “They lord it over them”
THE KINGDOM’S MEASURE
26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.
35 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Truth: GREATNESS IS MEASURED OR JUDGED BY OUR SERVICE NOT YOUR STATUS
THE SERVANT’S MINDSET
27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—
Truth: The greatest is willing to become a servant and even a slave
World: Few at the top being served
Kingdom: The greatest is at the bottom holding others up
Where am I seeking position instead of service?
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Who am I currently serving?
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II. THE MODEL OF GREATNESS
II. THE MODEL OF GREATNESS
JESUS
HIS HUMBLE MISSION
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
“The Son of Man did not come to be served…”
38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
Truth: Jesus chose service over status
HIS HOLY MINISTRY
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
“but to serve…”
4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.
5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.
38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
Truth: His entire life was marked by serving others
HIS HIGHEST MEASURE
“and to give His life a ransom for many”
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,
Truth: The greatest act of service was His sacrifice
ILLUSTRATION: A king leaving his throne to clean the streets and die for his citizens—
That is what Jesus did for us.
OBJECT LESSON
Hold up:
A towel (service)
A cross (sacrifice)
Teach: Jesus didn’t just serve with a towel—He served with His life
APPLICATION
Am I serving like Jesus or expecting to be served?
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What sacrifice is God calling me to make?
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III. THE MOTIVE FOR GREATNESS
III. THE MOTIVE FOR GREATNESS
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
(focus on “ransom for many”)
THE PRICE OF REDEMPTION
“ransom for many”
18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
Truth: Jesus paid the price to give us eternal life
THE PURPOSE OF REDEMPTION
14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Truth: We are saved to serve
THE PERSPECTIVE OF REWARD
27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
Truth: Our service is motivated by eternal reward, not earthly recognition
ILLUSTRATION: Working for a paycheck vs. working for an inheritance
The paycheck is temporary
The inheritance is eternal
APPLICATION
Am I serving for now or for eternity? _____________________
Do I see service as temporary or eternal investment? ________________
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Why do people naturally seek position instead of service?
What makes serving difficult?
How does Jesus redefine greatness in this passage?
What motivates you most when you serve?
WEEKLY CHALLENGE
I will serve _______________________ (name one person) intentionally
I will serve with or in _____________________ (name the ministry area) without recognition
Prayer Ministry / Music Ministry / Media Ministry / Comfort Ministry / Culinary Ministry / Greeter Ministry / Usher Ministry / Security Ministry / Evangelism Ministry / Food Pantry Ministry / CGC Ministry / Care Ministry (Nursing Home, Shut-in, Hospital) / Communication Ministry
I will serve with eternity in mind.
CLOSING SUMMARY (YOUR STYLE)
GREATNESS IS NOT ABOUT:
POSITION
POWER
PRAISE
GREATNESS IS ABOUT:
SERVICE TO PEOPLE
SACRIFICE LIKE JESUS
SIGHT OF ETERNITY
